An immersive, virtual environment is an empty place without people. Whether those people are physical, or AI in nature, they require physical forms within the virtual. Any form from a fridge, to a fighterjet can be considered for social-based worlds, but alternate life worlds really require something more believable.

What is required are creatures that capture the imagination, whose movements, and grace are known, or long suspected, and preferably not covered by copyright issues.

The human form has been studied in great detail, but is the human form really the only option we are after? Mythological creatures are a source of great wonder and desire too. With enough information, we could bring those creatures to life within the vitual, and preserve suspension of disbelief.

Creatures aren't the only truly wonderous offering that mythology gives freely to those building a world. Within its many branches, it also holds many wonderous plant species, with wonderous powers all of their own.

Barometz
The vegetable lamb, a strange and wonderous creature that grows out of the ground, is tied to its rootbase all its life, yet otherwise looks, feels, and plays like a baby sheep.

Bohun Upas--the tree of poisons
The tree of poisons is an interesting specimen, defending itself with a poisonous vapour, that kills everything else for miles downwind of the tree...

The Barnacle Tree
The barnacle tree is a strange one. Sprouting barnacles from it's branches, it offers life to a strange breed of bird, that crawls from these barnacle wombs.

Mythological Creatures (31)

From the well known wonders of noble dragons, unicorns, and elves, through hundreds of lesser known creatures - Baku, fei-yi, bonnacon, alicorn, and so many more, mythical creatures provide a wealth of information on setting up your own, viable world, filled with all those wonderful creatures we all so long to see.

Abiku
The Abiku is a night demon. Coming from western Africa, the Abiku is a humanoid non-corporeal creature which possesses no stomach in it's own body.

Achaclia
The achaclia are spirits of the Amoya people in Bolivia. Like dwarves, they live in underground warrens, carved out of the living rock, deep under mountains.

Acheri
The Acheri is a ghostly figure, from native American society. The spirit of a young girl, she lives in the mountains, but often descends at night, to the fires of human settlements.

Advanced Dungeons and Dragon?s Monster Manual provides an excellent range of creatures for the inspiration and reference of those builders who plan to include classical mythological beasts in their worlds.

Adh Sidhe
A creature from worldwide mythology, included for accurate content within the virtual. The Adh Sidhe hail from Ireland. They are spirit-folk of an uncertain appearance. Not so much shape shifters as perceived differently from person to person.

Ahl al-trab
A creature from worldwide mythology, included for content within the virtual. The Ahl al-trab come from Islamic folklore. Living in burrow-homes just, literally just, below the surface of the Saharan sands, These humanoid creatures are tiny; practically flightless pixies.

Ahuizotl
The Ahuizotl is a central american water beast, which catches its prey by luring unwary humans to the water's edge, then drowning them and feasting on the eyes, teeth and nails of the victim, but leaving the rest of the body untouched.

Gulon
The Gulon, a swedish beast of unbelievably disgusting greed. The eating habits of this one may well have you retching as you read.

Harpies - a Look in Detail
The harpy has long been a well-known figure in mythology. However, unlike many other mythological creatures, very little has been written about them, almost nothing in fact. This article attempts to provide a realistic view of the harpy as a creature.

Mermaids: The History of
A well-rounded, and comprehensive multi-page document on mermaids through the ages, their history, and adaptions. Overall, a very good paper.

Pegasus Info
A brief, yet structured, and precise article on the wonderous beast, the pegasus, and it's close relations. A good little article, worthy of a look.

Simurgh
A brief, yet worthwhile overview of the Simurgh, the all-knowing bird from Persian myth.

Flora and Fauna in the Cold Wastelands
Creating plant and animal life appropriate for desert areas is radically different to creating it for most terrain. You have to take into account the effects of the environment, not just on animal behaviour, but also on the way the species has adapted to the environment.

Flora and Fauna in the Hot Wastelands
Creating plant and animal life appropriate for desert areas, is radically different to creating it for most terrain. You have to take into account the effects of the environment, not just on animal behaviour, but also on the way the species has adapted to the environment. A Bengal tiger prowling the sand dunes is simply not believable.